December 21, 2017 (Brockville, ON) – The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) long-term vision to “build for the future” was given an additional boost yesterday when the Ministry of Education announced that the Board would receive over $7 million in capital funding for early years capital construction projects.

“We are absolutely thrilled by this news of having five new capital projects (including two additions to be built) supported through this funding from the Ministry of Education,” commented UCDSB Chair Jeff McMillan. “This provincial funding will further our Board’s efforts to create and sustain the child care spaces we need that will support local families in the Rockland, Russell, South Mountain, Kemptville, and Brockville communities.”

The child and family projects and child care projects support the government’s intention to create additional spaces and access to licensed child care across the Province of Ontario where service and program gaps may exist. The provincial government announced last week that nearly 200 schools would benefit from this funding province-wide. The announcement advised that “helping more families access quality, affordable child care is an essential part of the government's plan for a fairer, better Ontario. It will give more children a safe, caring environment in which to learn and grow, and allow more women to go back to work and pursue their careers, which is critical to closing the gender wage gap.”

“Our school district is heavily invested in early learning at all levels,” stated Director of Education Stephen Sliwa. “We appreciate the Ministry of Education’s continuing support of these efforts through this recent announcement of capital funding for child care capital projects and for the child and family program projects. I can just imagine how families with young children will value this recent development.”

Overall, the UCDSB will receive from the Government of Ontario approximately $7.7 million to undertake projects at the following schools:

The new South Brockville public school – to be constructed (64 total spaces; including 10 infant, 30 toddler, and 24 preschool): $2,016,682. Funding also includes an addition to the school intended for this specific purpose: $1,512,511

Kemptville Public School (49 total spaces; including 10 infant, 15 toddler, and 24 preschool): $1,603,262, with additional funding for an addition to the school intended for this specific purpose, amounting to an additional $1,068,841